Comparison of depression, anxiety and stress in persons with traumatic and non-traumatic post-acute spinal cord injury

Study design: Community cross-sectional self-report survey of adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the likelihood of depression, anxiety and stress in adults with non-traumatic SCI (NT-SCI) compared with adults with traumatic SCI (T-SCI). Setting: Victoria, Australia. Adults (N = 443; NT-SCI n = 62) living in the community and attending specialist SCI rehabilitation clinics. Methods: Participants completed a self-report survey by internet, telephone or hard copy. Items included demographic and injury-related characteristics and the short form Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: Persons with NT-SCI were significantly more likely to be female (P<0.05), older (P<0.001) and have lower-level incomplete injuries (P 0.001). The probability of depression, anxiety or stress in respondents with NT-SCI did not differ from persons with T-SCI (P>0.05). Overall, the prevalence of adverse mental health problems defined by scoring above DASS-21 cutoffs, were depression 37%, anxiety 30%, and clinically significant stress 25%. Conclusions: This study examined multiple mental health outcomes after NT-SCI in Australia. This study provides some evidence that the results of studies of depression, anxiety or stress in persons with T-SCI can be generalised to those with NT-SCI in the post-acute phase. NT-SCI patients are also at substantial risk of poor mental health outcomes. General demographic and injury-related characteristics do not seem to be important factors associated with the mental health of adults with SCI whether the SCI is traumatic or non-traumatic in origin. Spinal Cord (2009) 47, 783-788; doi:10.1038/sc.2009.43; published online 28 April 2009